David Pearce

David Pearce (born April 1959) is a British transhumanist philosopher and a co-founder of the World Transhumanist Association, now Humanity+. He approaches ethical issues from a negative utilitarian perspective, advocating for the abolition of suffering in all sentient life through technological means. His self-published manifesto, "The Hedonistic Imperative," outlines how pharmacology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and neurosurgery could be used to eliminate suffering and replace it with bliss. Pearce, a vegan, also extends this concern to wild animal suffering, proposing radical ideas for ecosystem redesign. He has been involved with various organizations focused on ethics, emerging technologies, and animal welfare.